17

THE MOHAMMEDAN CONTROVERSY

it would be useful to find out at what different times the commentators suppose these expressions were used which disclaim the power of working miracles ; if they extended over the greater period of the Prophet's ministry, it would render our attack unanswerable.1

Dr. Lee now comes forward, and, taking up the question of miracles, adopts a different line of argument. In his first chapter he exposes the insufficiency of the evidence upon which Moslems lean, and shows that the testimony of multitudes, if interested and but partially informed, is worth nothing; he then substitutes instead, the true laws of evidence as enforced by Locke's six considerations. The Second chapter is devoted to the integrity of the Scriptures. The Mirza had asserted that the Old Testament was lost during the Babylonish captivity, and the first section answers the objection in a satisfactory manner. The second section refers to the period between the captivity and the time of Mohammed, during which the purity of the Bible is maintained by convincing arguments. He then takes occasion to show the value of Versions, which the Mirza foolishly imagines to have increased corruption. A third section discusses Kennicott's notion of the Jews having altered their Scriptures, which is shown to be unfounded. The whole chapter is recommended to the particular attention of our missionaries. In his Third chapter, Dr. Lee, foregoing the proof by miracles, shows from Scripture that a true prophet must have the gift of prophecy; and that even then, if he opposes a previous revelation, he is not to be credited: Mohammed is condemned by these premises. The argument concludes with a brief description of our Scriptures, in which, avoiding metaphysical and abstruse arguments, he dwells on their adaptation to man, and refutes the objections of the Moslems.

Where all is excellent it is difficult to select. Two short extracts, however, will give some idea of the Doctor's conclusive mode of treating his subject. The Mirza had discarded the doctrine of the atonement with this contemptuous sneer:—

"The statement " (he says, regarding Martyn's notice of it) " is calculated to provoke the smile even of a child: For all might have been obviated


1 [The abnegation is absolute throughout.]